NUSA DUA, Bali (BPN) – The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023, held in conjunction with the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-41), under the theme” Accelerating Energy Connectivity to Achieve Sustainable Growth of ASEAN,” concluded with resounding success on Friday, August 25, 2023.
The event, organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) of the Republic of Indonesia, brought together Ministers on Energy of ASEAN & Timor Leste, Ministers on Energy of ASEAN Dialogue partners, energy industry leaders, experts, academias from across the ASEAN region and beyond.
Dr Nuki Agya Utama, the Executive Director of ACE, highlighted the significant progress made in AEBF 2023. The triple helix forum emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership between the representatives from industry, government, and academia to discuss energy and environmental issues.
According to Dr Nuki, ACE is working hand in hand with the MEMR for the AEBF 2023 to provide valuable insights regarding the programme areas that fall under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 to attain a secure, sustainable, and resilient energy future.
He shared, “As we know, governments, businesses, investors, and academics in ASEAN member countries agree on the importance of regional cooperation for sustainable energy security and interconnectivity to support ASEAN as a growth center.”
On the second day, the sessions provided a platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and collaboration among industry leaders, government representatives, academics, and experts.
Discussions revolved around energy transitions, power grid interconnectivity, cleaner energy initiatives, critical minerals, natural gas utilization, low-carbon investments, coal’s role in the energy transition, and many more.
Another highlight is, ACE has solidified its commitment to advancing energy collaboration, sustainability, and innovation across the ASEAN region by signing a series of significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key regional and international partners.
These MoUs were formalized during the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy (AMEM-41) alongside the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023 on 25 August 2023, in the presence of ASEAN Ministers and the dialogue partners, underscoring the importance of these collaborations in shaping the region’s energy landscape.
ACE’s collaborations span a diverse range of partners, each contributing distinct expertise and resources to fortify the energy sector in ASEAN.
These MoUs align with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 and cover initiatives such as cross-border power interconnections between Indonesia and Malaysia, accelerating renewable energy integration through the ASEAN Power Grid, enhancing clean energy collaboration with China, promoting energy efficiency financing, and fostering partnerships with organizations like UNOPS, GIZ, KDB, EFC, JICA, ADB, JETRO, and academic institutions.
These partnerships signify ACE’s role in advancing sustainable energy development and collaboration within the region.
As the AEBF concludes, the event also celebrated excellence in the energy sector through the prestigious ASEAN Energy Awards. The awards recognised outstanding achievements in various categories, including energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, industries, energy management, renewable energy, and clean coal technology.
This recognition underscores the remarkable contributions made by individuals and organizations towards advancing sustainable energy practices within the ASEAN region.
